Crossroads

Fridays at 10pm, Sundays at 7pm

Crossroads is KMUW’s contemporary blues and soul show. Hosted by Chris Heim, the program highlights blues, R&B and soul from the post-war era to the present, from classic recordings to new releases, and from mainstream sounds to a diverse and wide-ranging collection of artists and recordings with roots in the blues and branches in nearly every other musical genre.

Crossroads continues with more music from July featured artists Willie Dixon (with covers of his songs from Joe Bonamassa, Magnus Berg, Junior Wells, and the Rolling Stones) and James Cotton (including music from the Harp Attack! album, one of his earliest recordings on Sun Records, and new music from his former guitarist Slam Allen).

The Crossroads July feature continues with more music from Willie Dixon (including appearances with the Big Three Trio and Sonny Boy Williamson), James Cotton (highlighting music from one of his earliest albums as a leader and a later release with a Willie Dixon song) and more Blues Blast Music Awards nominees (including Mississippi Heat, Robin McKelle, Doug MacLeod, Missy Anderson, Deb Ryder, and Mud Morganfield with Kim Wilson - also doing a Willie Dixon classic).

This week at the Crossroads - more music for the July feature from Willie Dixon (with Muddy Waters), James Cotton (from the album that featured his first recordings – Chicago/The Blues/Today), Living Blues and Blues Blast Award nominees, and the Holmes Brothers (in tribute to Wendell Holmes who passed away in June).

This week at the Crossroads, we wrap up the June feature celebrating the electric Chicago blues and the 65th anniversary of Chess Records with Joe Bonamassa’s new album in tribute to Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf, Mike Henderson’s version of an early Muddy Waters classic on Chess, and a special exploring the legendary Bo Diddley beat. Plus a tribute to blues and soul singer Mighty Sam McClain who passed away last week, remembering Big Bill Broonzy on his birthday, and music from artists with concerts in the coming week.

Crossroads continues the June Electric Chicago Blues/Chess Records 65th Anniversary Feature with music from two pioneering rock artists on the label – Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley.

Plus electric Chicago blues from the Paul Butterfield Blues Band (inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame this year), Bernard Allison, and Muddy Waters – and a special in hour two celebrating one of today’s best known Chicago blues guitarists, the legendary Buddy Guy.

Crossroads kicks of the June Electric Chicago Blues feature (a celebration of both the 100th birthday of solid body electric guitar pioneer Les Paul and the 65th anniversary of the first record on the Chess label) with some classic recordings from Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf and a House of Blues Chicago Blues special in hour two of the show.

Plus a birthday salute to Chicago blues bassist, singer and bandleader, Queen Sylvia Embry, remembering Marcus Belgrave, and artists with local and regional concerts in the coming week.